Vaccine mandates raise religious liberty questions
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) – As more and more pastors are being asked to provide confirmation of a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine, they are drawing a range of conclusions about whether refusing the vaccine can be a religious liberty issue.
Christian effect still possible during religious freedom crisis, speakers say
NASHVILLE (BP) – Christians are not without means of effective ministry while religious freedom is under siege in countries such as Afghanistan and China, speakers said Thursday (Aug. 26) in a Southern Baptist-sponsored online conversation.
New Hampshire deems churches ‘essential’
NASHVILLE (BP) – New Hampshire’s new law protecting the freedom of churches during an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic should be a model for other states, according to the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
Biden administration drops conscience rights suit; ERLC protests
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Biden administration has dropped a Trump-era lawsuit against the University of Vermont Medical Center for requiring health care workers to assist in abortions despite their religious or moral objections.
Christian baker appeals ruling that he violated anti-discrimination law
DENVER (BP) – Christian baker Jack Phillips has appealed a ruling that he violated a Colorado anti-discrimination law by refusing to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.
Court win for InterVarsity applauded by Southern Baptists
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders commended the latest court victory for a student faith group that was removed from a state university campus for requiring its leaders to be Christians.
Senate acts to stymie China’s genocide of Uyghurs
WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Senate approved an import ban on goods made by forced labor in western China on the same day global religious freedom advocates brought attention to the Communist Party’s genocidal campaign primarily against Uyghur Muslims in the region.
Appeals court protects church freedom in employment decisions
CHICAGO (BP) – Religious freedom advocates praised a federal appeals court opinion that protects the freedom of churches and other religious groups in the face of government interference in employment decisions.
Capitol Hill Baptist Church, D.C. settle religious liberty suit
WASHINGTON (BP) – The District of Columbia has agreed to pay $220,000 in legal fees in a settlement with Capitol Hill Baptist Church. The settlement comes nine months after a federal court ruled the government could not prohibit the Southern Baptist congregation from meeting outdoors with proper safety measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
High court rejects florist, gives hope to Maine parents
WASHINGTON (BP)—Barronelle Stutzman’s lengthy legal effort to operate a florist shop in Washington state according to her Christian convictions came to an end Friday (July 2) at the U.S. Supreme Court.
